Have you ever been at a loss for words; you knew you should same something but you weren't sure of what that something should be. Of maybe you've done just the opposite. You know, the old open-mouth-insert-foot routine? So what do you do in situations like these?
You might remember your grandma or mom telling you as a child that 'if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all'. Sound familiar? Now while I definitely agree with the concept of teaching our children to not say things that are hurtful and unkind, I think we need to take it a step farther. I think as parents we need to learn a lesson from my sweet, nearly three year-old granddaughter, Macy Scout...
Macy loves to talk on the phone. But let's face it-at 2 1/2 there isn't a whole lot for her to talk about. The dogs, the sheep and cows, what she and her sister have been doing, whether or not she's been in time-out that day, where Grandpa is (and wanting to talk to him).... You know, the normal stuff. But that's usually not enough for Macy-she wants more 'air time'. So what does she do? When she cannot think of anything else to say, she simply says, "I just lub you so, so much, Nanna."
I instantly respond with the same and then she says it again..."I just lub you so, so much, Nanna."
Doesn't that just melt your heart? It sure does mine! The point I want to make though, is this...
Instead of teaching our children to be silent rather than not say things that are rude or unkind, teach them to fill that silence with words that encourage, mend relationships, melt hearts and share God's love. If we teach our children to go that extra step and fill the silence with friendship and love there won't be near as much room for bullying, gossip and all those other hurtful things.
Love,
Momma D